Characteristics of rotavirus nosocomial infections in a children’s hospital

This retrospective study was carried out at Zagreb University Children’s Hospital, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center
during a two-year period (November 1, 2008 to October 31, 2010) in order to determine the incidence and characteristics of
rotavirus nosocomial infections in a children’s hospital. Data on 98 children who clinically presented rotavirus gastroenteritis at
least 48 hours after admission to the hospital were analyzed. Chromatographic immunoassay Rotavirus and Adenovirus VIKIA
(bioMerieux) was used on virus detection. The incidence of rotavirus nosocomial infections calculated for all hospital admissions
during the study period was 0.4%. Infants younger than two years acquired rotavirus infection more often (P<0.001). Infections
were more often detected at pediatric departments than on other hospital wards (P<0.001). The mean duration of hospitalization
before the infection was 7.2 days. All 98 (100%) patients had diarrhea, 48 (49%) had vomiting and 28 (28.6%) fever. The mean
duration of clinical symptoms was 4.3 days. Significantly more frequent infections were detected in the first three months of the year
(P<0.001). More intensive infection control measures should be taken in order to reduce nosocomial rotavirus infection, especially
on infant wards during winter period.

About us

Journal PAEDIATRIA CROATICA is the official journal of the Croatian Pediatric Society and Croatian Society of School and University Medicine. The editor is Children's Hospital Zagreb. It is published four times per year by Children's University Hospital Zagreb, Klaićeva 16, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia.Practicing pediatricians, pediatric subspecialists, neonatologists, family physicians, and other health care professionals that have children in their care.